SHAH ALAM: Rafizi Ramli has brushed aside claims that there will be a hike in petrol prices soon.

"It is not true and we have been clear that we want to first put in place all aid and a support system for the people before any decision regarding the petrol subsidy," the Economy Minister told reporters on Saturday (March 23) after a town hall session on the Central Database Hub (Padu) registration.

He added it was not possible for a decision such as a hike in petrol prices, to be made given it was too close to the Padu implementation date.

On another matter, Rafizi said the government would not extend the March 31 deadline set for Padu and advised those who had yet to register to do so as soon as possible.

He added this was crucial for the government for the restructuring of planned and targeted subsidies.

"Extending (the deadline) will cost the government an additional RM2bil monthly in fuel subsidies," he said.

Rafizi also voiced his concern over the low Padu registrations in Selangor.

Padu, which was developed in 2023 in collaboration with the Economy Ministry, the Statistics Department and the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu), would help the government get a better insight of the national household income.

It would also be used to help with policy making as well as distribute subsidies more effectively.

Padu would also function as a guideline for the implementation of targeted subsidies for RON 95 petrol.